£2.5 million for handwashing campaign

Health Minister Andy Kerr has pledged £2.5 million towards a campaign on handwashing Mr Kerr said: "Hands can carry a range of bugs, including healthcare associated infections like MRSA, illness such as food poisoning and viruses like flu. Washing hands regularly and thoroughly will dramatically reduce the spread of these bugs. The announcement was made as part of this year's Infection Control Awareness Week. As well as NHS professionals, the minister gave a reminder that the public has a key role to play in helping reduce the spread of infection. The campaign will be launched early in 2007 and will be mainly targeted at Hospital Acquired Infections.